One reason why it’s so difficult to let go is because unlike a cup of yogurt, your beloved mascara or lipstick doesn’t have a “use by” stamp to follow. That’s why we’re here to fill you in on when those “use by” dates should apply to your makeup!
I realize that it can be very hard to part with a makeup item you may have spent quite a bit of money on, but if it’s going to save your skin, DUMP IT! (Trust me, you won’t regret it!)
“In the U.S., only cosmetics that are over-the-counter drugs have true expiration dates,” says Randy Schueller, cosmetic chemist and co-founder ofThe Beauty Brains. Of course, there are guidelines that experts often say to keep in mind when deciding whether to keep or toss beauty products, but it turns out that sometimes there’s a bit of leeway. Keep reading to find out what you can actually get away with (and what items you might need to trash tonight)!
Lipstick: 12 Months to Two Years
No, it’s not the end of the world to use a 26-month-old tube, but don’t expect to get the same finish as when it was fresh. “The water content in lip color evaporates with time, so the product may not apply as evenly,” says New York City dermatologist Marina I. Peredo. Lip products can also harbor bacteria, so tossing it sooner rather than later is a good idea. If you’re hesitating, be honest: Do you really like the color? If you haven’t used it after two years, it probably wasn’t the right shade and is ready to be tossed.
Loose and Pressed Powders: 12 Months
How much you can fudge it depends on how often you clean your tools. If the product has not been contaminated by breakouts or bacteria from brushes, then you can go up to two years. Clean brushes will prolong the lifespan of your makeup. If you’re using a sponge in the compact, make sure to keep it clean or replace it every few months. Continue reading to learn how to keep makeup brushes clean.
Liquid Foundation: Six Months in a Jar; 12 to 18 Months in a Pump
Pumps are your best bet if you tend to be lax about cleaning out your makeup bag. They reduce the amount of exposure your foundation gets to air and bacteria, buying you more time. However if you’re dipping your fingers into the bottle or packaging, replace it every six months, even if you always wash your hands before using the foundation.
Mascara: Three Months
I’ve had the three-month rule ingrained in my mind for years, but according to cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson, you can work your mascara wand for six to nine months, as long as it hasn’t dried out. Don’t even think about adding water, though. “The preservation system wasn’t designed to handle water added by consumers, so you risk bacterial infections,” warns Wilson.
One thing you should never do with your mascara is share it… we won’t scare you with the gory details here, but Google sure will!
Pencil Eyeliner: Two Years
Pencils are very easy to keep for a while. If you’re worried about bacteria, then douse with alcohol, allow it to dry and sharpen. But that doesn’t mean you can use the same liner forever. Nothing should be kept for more than three years, no matter how often you use it. Try to avoid sharing your pencil eyeliners with others; much like mascara, sharing any eye product is never a good idea. However, if you absolutely need to share with someone, make sure to clean it with alcohol and sharpen the point, getting rid of any germs and bacteria you may be transferring onto yourself or someone else.
Face cream: Up to 12 Months If Stored in a Cool/Dry Place Once Opened
Take a close look at your old cream, and give it a sniff test while you’re at it. If the texture, odor and color hasn’t changed, and it’s stored in a cool, dry place, then you can continue to use it. Be sure to look at your skin. Your moisturizer may look and smell fine, but if you aren’t getting the same glow, replace it! Click here to view the face creams we have available at Kiki Skin & Body Spa.
Sunscreen: 12 Months
When it comes to sunscreen, you need to be a stickler. There is no wiggle room with SPF products. Sunscreen has an expiration date, and you should always discontinue use by that date. There are also instructions on how long you should keep your sunscreen after opening the bottle. Because this is an over-the-counter product, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are always getting full SPF coverage.
Perfume: 12 Months
How long your scent can last depends on the fragrance type itself and what ingredients are used in the perfume. A perfume with a lot of naturals like citrus or other fast-evaporating ingredients is likely to turn bad faster than a fragrance with musky, woody or longer-lasting elements. If you notice something off—like a wine that has gone bad or something that reminds you of the smell of nail polish—that’s when you should throw it away!
Makeup Brush Cleanliness
One last very important thing to keep in mind is makeup brushes (and beauty blenders). CLEAN THEM! You should be cleaning your makeup brushes more often, if not as often as your bed sheets! Think about it… You are applying these tools to your face and if they’re not cleaned on a regular basis, you are continuously applying dirt and germ filled brushes to your clean face… YIKES!
You can purchase special makeup brush cleansing liquids, but baby shampoo works just as well at half the cost! If it’s safe and gentle enough to use on your adorable baby, it will work just fine on your makeup brushes. Apply a small amount of shampoo to your clean palm and move your brush back and forth in the shampoo until it creates a nice lather, much like washing your hair. Make sure you rinse the brush so all suds are out and allow it to air dry on its side on a towel overnight. The next time you use your brush it will be noticeably softer and will apply your makeup easier than it did before!
*Some statistics and info gathered from Self Magazine